Data Visualization for Biomedical Applications
BMI 706
Subject & Catalog Number
Course Information
Description
Data visualization is an essential component of the analysis toolkit in any data-driven research endeavor. As the primary interface through which analysts are consuming data, data visualization can facilitate new discoveries but also mislead, bias, and slow down progress if done poorly. This visualization course will focus on the role of data visualization in biomedical data analysis applications and also cover the principles of perception and cognition relevant for data visualization. It will also introduce the data visualization design process, and visualization tools and techniques used in biomedical informatics. Major topics include interaction techniques and implementations, high-dimensional data, networks, genomes, time and event sequences, and common generic visualization systems. Students are expected to complete class readings, a final project, and make a final presentation.
Class Notes
Course Prerequisites
Previous or concurrent enrollment in BMI 714, or equivalent programming experience with R or Python. Students enrolled in the course will be required to implement assignments and final projects in Python.
CROSS-REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Students not enrolled in an HMS Master’s program will be able to start submitting petitions for this course in August, 2026.
Students who are not in the Master of Medical Sciences in Biomedical Informatics program who wish to cross-register for this course must submit a petition in my.harvard that summarizes how they have fulfilled the course prerequisites. Cross-reg petitions will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis starting August 21, 2026. Students should submit petitions before this date, but they will not be approved ahead of time.
For questions regarding cross-registration, please contact mbi@hms.harvard.edu with the subject line "BMI 706 cross-registration".
Available for Harvard Cross Registration
